Parnell commits to 10 debates, forums

JUNEAU - Gov. Sean Parnell has committed to 10 debates and forums leading to the November general election.

The first, a Kenai/Soldotna Chamber of Commerce event, is scheduled for Tuesday. Democrat Ethan Berkowitz is expected to attend.

Berkowitz campaign manager Jon Blair says Parnell's campaign did not reach out to Berkowitz to coordinate a debate schedule. Blair couldn't immediately say how many of the events committed to by Parnell had also been committed to by Berkowitz.

During the primary, Parnell was accused of being a debate dodger by two of his GOP rivals, who criticized his absence at numerous events they'd attended.

Parnell is seeking to win outright the office he inherited when Sarah Palin abruptly resigned last summer.